While it might be an easy step to forgo, there are many advantages of adding a toner into your skincare regime. 'Toners are particularly useful for oilier skin types, but provide a crucial part of all skincare regimes where a cleanser can unbalance the skin’s natural habitat,' says Dr Sophie Shotter, Aesthetic Expert and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic. Toners do a number of jobs, 'they restore the skin's pH balance, tighten pores, dissolve dead skin cells and minimise the amount of impurities that can penetrate the skin.'
But with so many different toners to choose from, it can be a bit of minefield trying to locate the best one for your skin type.
As a starting point – look out for the ingredients that you know will work for you. A godsend for oily and congested skin types, witch hazel is rich in tannins that will absorb excess oil and leave skin feeling matte. Try Aesop In Two Minds Facial Toner, £37, laced with witch hazel and niacinamide to ward off breakouts. Sensitive or dry skin? Look out for rosewater as it calms and soothes with its balancing properties. We rate Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, £21. And if you’re on the quest for glow-y, more radiant skin (as we always are) opt for a toner packed with acids, as these bad boys will do away with dulling dead skin cells for a brighter, smoother complexion.
Shop: Our Edit Of The Best Toners Here
12 Best Toners 2020
1 of 12Aesop In Two Minds Facial Toner, £37
Witch hazel mops up excess oil while niacinamide minimises pores for a matte, smooth skin finish. After cleansing, splash onto a cotton pad and pat onto your skin.
2 of 12Kiehl's Daily Refining Milk Peel Toner, £52
Gentle enough for every day use, this milky toner exfoliates with lipo hydroxy acid while emollients and almond milk replenish skin's moisture levels.
3 of 12Medik8 Press & Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic with Enzyme Activator, £25
This PHA packed toner is designed to work in tune with your vitamin A, gently resurfacing skin without sensitising it. Made up of larger molecules than AHAs and BHAs, PHAs don't penetrate as deeply which is why they're a good option for sensitive skin.
4 of 12Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, £21
Besides looking rather chic on our bathroom shelfie, this beautiful toner, packed with real rose petals, soothes dry and sensitive skin with calming rosewater. Skin feels hydrated and more awake after use.
5 of 12REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £25
This toner is SO good. If you haven't tried it yet, please do as the brightening results are almost instant. Packed with lactic acid and azelaic acid, the hard-working formula sloughs away dead skin cells, unclogging pores, to bestow a dewy glow.
6 of 12Dr Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner , £45
Use this toner daily to keep skin balanced, healthy and hydrated. Beta-Glucan and Panthenol soothe irritation, while hyaluronic acid serves up an intense shot of moisture.
7 of 12Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, £31
Watermelon has become a star ingredient for soothing irritation and inflammation with its high content of vitamins and antioxidants. Find it in abundance in this skin-loving toner.
8 of 12Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner, £33
What we love most about this toner is that it's a spray. So refreshing in the summer months, mist this all over for soft, supple skin with its blend of soothing jasmine water and antioxidants.
9 of 12Avène Gentle Toner, £11.50
If you're after a gentle yet effective toner, turn your face to this delicate formula, pronto. Enriched with the brand's Thermal Spring Water, this gel-like texture will restore moisture and calm stressed-out skin.
10 of 12The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, £6.80
Laced with glycolic acid to gently exfoliate skin and aloe vera to soothe - this hardworking, purse-friendly toner is your best answer to a more radiant complexion.
11 of 12Pixi Clarity Tonic, £18
Boasting a trio of AHAs as well as salicyclic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid), this powerful toner removes impurities, resurfaces and exfoliates to help banish blemishes.
12 of 12Skinceuticals Equalizing Toner, £30
In Skinceuticals we trust, and this alcohol-free toner gets rave reviews for balancing skin and restoring radiance. Suitable for all skin types, this is a great first-timer-toner.
READ MORE: Beauty Lingo Decoded: What Is Niacinamide And Why Is It So Good At Busting Blemishes?
READ MORE: How To: Order And Layer Your Morning And Evening Skincare Products To Get The Best Results